Mason Bee

Over 300 species within the genus OsmiaAlso known as Orchard Bee

Mason bee

Mason bee

Host Plants:

Where Found:

Worldwide in most temperate climates

Description:

Often called orchard bees or blue orchard bees, mason bees are smaller than honeybees, and often have metallic green or blue backs. They are most active in spring, and are able to fly at cooler temperatures compared to honeybees. Mason bees do not sting.

Beneficial Because:

Mason bees are driven to collect huge amounts of pollen, which they make into balls and store for their young. On a warm spring day when fruit trees are in bloom, a single mason bee may make over 1,000 visits to collect pollen, all the while spreading bits of pollen from flower to flower. Because of their small size, mason bees are able to crawl inside tubular blueberry blossoms where honeybees do not fit.

Food and Habitat:

Mason bees earned their common name because they pack the cells of their nests with mud, but not before each compartment is stocked with an egg and a pollen ball for the hatchling to eat. Insect holes in trees are common nest sites, along with hollow sticks or branches. Some mason bees may nest in the ground. Mason bees are solitary insects that do not form colonies.

Attracting More:

Locations near wooded areas often host plenty of mason bees, but in urban areas with limited natural habitat you can make mason bee boxes by drilling holes into blocks of wood, or by providing bundles of hollow bamboo or even drinking straws, attached to fences, tree limbs or buildings. Homemade "insect hotels" are designed primarily to host mason bees.